Pubic Lice

What Are Pubic Lice ?

Pubic lice--Pediculosis pubis or "crabs"--are very tiny insects that infest the pubic hair and survive by feeding on human blood. These parasites are most often spread by sexual contact, but they may also be caught through contact with infested bedding or clothing.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of infestation is itching in the pubic area. Scratching may spread the lice to other parts of the body, so every effort should be made to avoid touching the infected area.

Incubation Period

The eggs of lice hatch in a week and mature in about 8 to 10 days.

How Do You Know If You Have Them?

Pubic lice are diagnosed easily because they are visible to the naked eye. They are pinhead size, oval in shape and grayish, but appear reddish-brown when full of blood from their host. Nits, the tiny white eggs, are also visible and are usually observed clinging to the base of pubic hair.

Treatment

Lotions and shampoos that will kill pubic lice are available both over the counter and by prescription. Creams or lotions containing lindane, a powerful pesticide, are most frequently prescribed for the treatment of pubic lice. (Pregnant women may be advised not to use this drug.) Itching may persist even after the lice have been killed. This is because the skin has been irritated and requires time to heal. See your health care provider if you think you have lice.

Prevention

All persons with whom an infested individual has come into close contact, including family and close friends as well as sex partners, should be treated to ensure that the lice have been eliminated. All clothing and bedding should be washed in very hot water (125 degrees F) and dried at a high setting to rid them of any lice. Pubic lice die within 24 hours of being separated from the body. Because the eggs may live up to 6 days, it is important to apply the treatment for the full time recommended.